These would become the tallest twin buildings in the US, beating the 751' Time Warner Center in NYC. So yeah, ego is likely involved.

Triplets is right. If you can see the "wings" on the back of the existing 311 S, that's where they were supposed to be attached to. Funny, now it's just assumed the building by itself was supposed to look like that. Kind of awkward in actuality, but forgivable.

I hope the southern twin gets built first and something taller than 311 S. Wacker gets built on the northern lot (likely much later), purely for skyline gap-filling reasons.

^We are referring to the 1% who are interested in these sorts of things, and thus design buildings that set new records and/or include vanity height elements like spires and crowns.

Wont the Manhattan West (1&2) developments be the tallest twins upon completion of 2?

They're not identical twins. One is noticeably shorter than the other.

Most of the time this is probably true but there are still certainly developers wanting to make a mark some way or another. Tallest twin towers is a pretty good category for that.

I just want the design to be thoughtful, but hopefully unique and interesting; height is secondary.

Seems they have sky gardens, I think that's a pretty cool design element, regardless of boxiness.

Height is kinda meh, especially next to Sears

It is a surprise this would have traction, even realizing developers are looking several years out, and investors can't just buy gold bars all the time

In a competitive market like Chicago, every developer is looking for an advantage, or a *potential* advantage over rivals. If the office market starts to rebound, and if this developer is in position to break ground immediately, they have a huge advantage. Other developers will not be able to match this head start.

A groundbreaking in late 2021 is likely after the pandemic is effectively over, we should have widespread and available vaccinations by that time. It may be late enough for the developers to assess the office market and have enough information to pull the trigger or not. This only works if they already have their ducks in a row.

If you're skeptical the office market will actually rebound post-Covid, you're not alone... but in a properly functioning market there's always a few people who are betting against the conventional wisdom. Occasionally they strike it big.

This is a great comment and it needs to be repeated. :cheers:

I guess if I consider this a risky gamble, it makes much more sense. But with all of the new space that was slated to come online, filling just filling that office space in a post-COVID world seems like it would be a successful rebound in and of itself. Though I shouldn't complain. I'm all for building, so fingers crossed it moves forward.

For some tenants, being the first or second tenant to sign onto a proposed tower comes with certain advantages. You have your pick of the floors in the building, unlimited flexibility to rent multiple adjacent floors in a block as needed, and you have a lot of leverage to get concessions, rent breaks or even sometimes design changes out of the developer. Sometimes naming rights are at stake, signage/branding opportunities, etc.

If a tenant is looking at a new building that's 50-60% leased and already under construction, they have a lot less leverage when they cut a deal with the developer.

Going through my archives I finally found the massing diagram showing the original 3 tower proposal by Lincoln Properties back in the late 1980s. . .



. . .

Also somewhat related. . . found an old rendering in an issue of Inland Architect from 1990 that indicated there were supposed to be small fin-like spires atop 311. . .



. . .

Would have been nice to have had three towers making use of granite cladding. Instead of what looks to be cookie-cutter blue glass

I have two concerns for this development:

First I think we had heard originally that the north twin might be built first. It would be a shame though to lose that green space (which is actually really well used in the summer, but probably would be less so in the shade of a tower to the south) while that parking lot persists for years or decades more.

Second, from a study that our office took on for the building a few years back, there is a good chance that the towers will also come with a complete reconstruction of the winter garden, which I would hate to see turned into a bland austere modern space.

Dang, that would have been awesome. Thanks for sharing! :cheers:

bummed with the uninspired design & height... could they even build a tower taller than 311 s wacker (say southern lot only) given proximity to the illuminated crown?

Why 2 towers anyway? How about ONE 1100 footer and know the thing will probably be 40% average vacancy for 3-4 years? The extra cost of construction (time wasted for a future development that may not happen at all) and digging another Hole should end up costing about the same as a single much taller building.